[Jewelry making - Article 01059] - Re: [Orchid] Hagglers at your jewelry booth

[rcjewelry]

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Dear Holly,

    Yup, it's that show time dilemna again. Here's your legal problem. As
    a credit card merchant, you are technically doing a legal no- no by
    offering a cash discount to discourage a credit card sale. Read the
    fine print on the merchant agreement contract you signed and you
    will find that rule. 

    That said, I like your response to the haggler. The other thought is
    to build into your retail price a "haggler's discount" margin- 10%
    is fine. Price the work 10% more and let the haggler "work" you down
    to the real price. 

>     Usually, they just get somewhat embarrassed and pay the price
>     marked. I guess some people just want to feel special - like you
>     will give "just them" a special deal. I wonder if there is a
>     creative way of making them feel extra special without compromising
>     yourself and integrity by giving them some sort of break". 

    This is how I take care of making people feel special. We have a
    repeat buyer program. It is carefully explained that this is how we
    reward buyers for purchasing more than one time. The first time, the
    customer pays the "full" price. They then are invited to add
    themselves to our mailing list (duh) If there is some resistance to
    that, we explain that FOREVERMORE, they always get a 10% discount on
    any FUTURE purchases except for a clearance or "special" item. We
    also assure them that their information will not be shared; it's
    only for us and we do not spam our customers. 

    The customer then can't wait to sign the mailing list and are
    grateful that they will automatically get that precious haggling
    discount without a hassle. Of course you've added that 10% into the
    price so who cares if you have to give it. The customer feels
    awesomely special- you are told that you are the best thing since
    french toast, and everybody comes out a winner- ESPECIALLY you since
    you now have a new groupie collecting your jewelry. If someone
    doesn't haggle, then you're ahead of the game and it will average
    out for the ones you discount to. If they ask you why they can't get
    that special deal the first time, you reply that you have to pay to
    play- it's only fair. 

Your decision...
Ruthie Cohen
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